US Mens Development Squad Shows Strong Start to Series

The U.S. Men’s Development Squad began a four game series against the University of British Columbia (UBC) yesterday at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. Team USA came out on top of the tightly contested match with a score of 4-3.

The U.S. got on the board first when a passing combination from Kanwarpreet Sidhu (San Jose, Cali.) to Ranveer Kundi (Glendora, Cali.) led to a backhand shot through the UBC goal keeper’s legs in the 14th minute, putting Team USA up 1-0. Play went back forth with circle play in both ends for the remainder of the first half. With neither team able to capitalize, the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

Team USA earned an attack penalty in the 47th minute where Sean Cicchi (Thousand Oaks, Cali.) played a rebound off the keeper to go up 2-0. UBC quickly fired back after a defensive error and Oliver Scholfield capitalized on the opportunity to make the score 2-1 at the 50 minute mark. A minute later, USA’s Sidhu found himself within striking distance to the goal and was able to slip the ball past the keeper from a low angle. Adding to back-to-back goals, UBC was netted a goal off of a broken attack penalty corner to bring the score to 3-2 just a minute later.

Johnny Orosco (Ventura, Cali.) earned his first goal of the series with a powerful drag flick in the 65th minute off of another U.S. attack penalty corner, giving Team USA a 4-2 lead. UBC was able to again return fire in the 66th minute with quick play and use of the baseline to beat U.S. keeper Spencer Reed, capping the score 4-3 in favor of Team USA at the final whistle.

“It was a good start to the week for gained experience playing against a quality opponent,” said Head Coach Chris Clements. “The goal of the week is to develop key tactical elements of our game that we have identified in building the bigger picture, our style of play, within the men’s program.”

For updates on the U.S. Men’s Development Squad’s series against the University of British Columbia, regularly check usafieldhockey.com.